Folding table



(MqdeL) E. J. B. WHITAKER.

FOLDING TABLE. No. 255,369. V Patented Mar. 21,1882.

, J F E] 2) 51 J i e B k i 9 s E] e 1 p l [F0 Inventor:

UNITED STATES ELIJAH J. B. WHITAKER,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF BELAIR, MARYLAND.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,369, dated March 21, 1882.

I Application filedJuly 8,1881. (ModeL) I reference hein g had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part f this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in folding tables, and will first be described, and then designated in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is l a view of the table when seen downside up with legs extended. Fig. 2 is a like view, showing the legs folded. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of table right side up on the line shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view of the looking device and a section of the table top inverted.

The letter A designates the table-top; B, a cross-bar hinged at c to each end of the top. The legs D are mortised or otherwise secured to the cross-bars, and the two legs at each end are connected or stayed by the rod 0. It will be seen this construction of hinged legs admits of the legs being extended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, or folded, as shown in Fig. 2. My invention consists in the improved device for retaining the legs in either one or the other position.

The letter F designates a bar pivoted by a bolt,f, or otherwise to the center of the lower side of the table-top. The particular form of swivel shown, which is that (if a bar, is not essential-a disk would serve as well. The connections of the pivoted bar permit it to turn one-half way around only from the position shown in Fig. 1, and as there indicated by broken lines, to the position shown in Fig. 2. Each end of the pivoted bar has an eye, 9, (or, if a disk were used, the diametrically-opposite sides would be provided in like manner,) with each of which one end of a rod, I, connects, while the other end of each rod forms a loop or an eye, h, which encircles one of the rods 6 midway between the legs. The rods 6, to connect thelegs, are notessential, as the cross-bars.

B may be of any suitable width, and by a suitable connection obvious to any mechanic the rods I might be attached directly thereto and the same result accomplished.

By the described construction it will be seen that when a half turn in one direction is given to the pivoted bar the effect is to draw on the rodsI until their inner ends overlap the pivoting-bolt f, as shown in Fig. 2, and when turned in the other direction to push the said rods until they ardextended to their uttermost, as shown in Fig. 1. i

A locking device is provided consisting of a spring-rod, n. (Separately shown in Fig. 4.)

The rod is so bent that each end may be attached to the table-top in any suitable manner, and from each end to the center the spring part bows away from the table-top. At the center a notch, 19, is formed, which serves to catch andhold the pivoted bar,by whichever end may be turned to slide over the spring. As the pivoted bar slides over the bowed part of the spring the latter is depressed into a groove,q, cut into the lower side of the table-top, which latter, in Fig. 4, is shown in an inverted position. Thus the locking device holds the legs when either folded or extended.

Having described my invention, Iclaim and desire to secure hyLettersPate-nt of theUnited States- 1. In a folding table, the combination of the legs hinged to the table-top, a bar pivoted to the table-top, and two rods, one end of each of which connects with and upon diametricallyopposite sides of the pivoted bar, while the other end of each rod connects with the hinged legs at either end of the table, whereby, upon a halfturn being given to the pivoted bar, the hinged legs may be extended to support the table or folded against the table-top, as set forth.

2. In a folding table, the combination, substantially as set forth, of the folding legs, a pivoted bar, a rod to connect the folding legs at either endwith the pivoted bar, and a locking device.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIJAH J. B. WHITAKER.

Witnesses:

GEO. D. WHITAKER, W. A. NUMsEN.

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